Watched the Brisbane-Gold Coast game this morning and Pearce Hanley ran the show. 45 disposals (shattering his previous career best), nine clearances and two goals which were both absolute peaches. As it's a derby game they have a special award for Man of the Match, the Marcus Ashcroft Medal, and he won it easily.

He was AFL Player of the Round a few weeks ago and could easily be again this week. It's shocking his achievements don't make more waves over here. He should've been at the very least nominated for Irish Sportsperson of the Year last year but I'd say the judges wouldn't recognise him if they met him on the street.

What a player he would be for Mayo if he ever comes back for a year or two.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 26/07/2014 19:59:49    1626250

Was chatting to an Aussie guy there recently and he simply said

"Pearce Hanley? .... Beast"

Sums him up!

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 26/07/2014 20:04:10    1626252

I watch him on a regular basis, and he is some player, esp as the team he plays in is dreadful, could be a matchwinner for Mayo if he came back for a year.

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 26/07/2014 20:12:47    1626265

Fair play to Pearce. I had the privelige of seeing his two play-off games beating Cavan and then losing up in Celtic Park. Had the makings of being a great player, big strong, direct runner, well able to take a score, but hard to judge a man's true potential in play-off games. I doubt he'll ever wear a senior Green and Red jersey.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7343 - 26/07/2014 20:27:03    1626277

Might be worth a look, if you're bored on a Sunday...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gExJDe7Ylg

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 17/08/2014 08:29:36    1637772

A nomination for Irish Sportsperson of the year based on being the best player in a low ranking AFL team? Would you expect too see the outstanding player in one of the weaker hurling or football teams up for the award?

A very good footballer though who has done very well in a new code. If he had remained in Ireland, Mayo may now be all-Ireland champions!

MB1 (Tyrone) - Posts: 360 - 17/08/2014 11:34:15    1637795

Great loss to Mayo and from casually looking at Aussie rules the best performing Irishman out ther the past 2 yeas but barely gets mentioned compared to players over there from other counties. Would love to see him in a Mayo jersey again but it's very doubtful.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11230 - 17/08/2014 12:41:24    1637813

Thanks for the link doublehop, he comes across very well in that despite the aussie style of interviewing. Though watching it you do become jealous of the exposure the aussies give their native game - a more lighted hearted discussion show like that would be excellent for the GAA.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 17/08/2014 13:11:08    1637823

17/08/2014 11:34:15
MB1
County: Tyrone
Posts: 336

A nomination for Irish Sportsperson of the year based on being the best player in a low ranking AFL team? Would you expect too see the outstanding player in one of the weaker hurling or football teams up for the award?

There is a draft system in AFL, there isn't one in GAA or any sport played in Ireland or Europe really so that's not a fair comparison, is it? The voting system for the Brownlow medal takes into account that the best players will be spread out across all clubs so is determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game. Gary Ablett from the Gold Coast Suns won the Brownlow last year. But yes the judges in RTE obviously think the same and assume that he must be no good as he's not playing in Grand Finals and that the top clubs would "buy" him. Ignorance.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 17/08/2014 16:10:31    1637898